Adjustable bed



Aug. 23, 1966 F. PRUlM ETAL ADJUSTABLE BED 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July20, 1964 and In verzfi 7:5: Fred Praz'm frvz'nEMz'sckZer F. PRUIM ETALADJUSTABLE BED Aug. 23, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 20, 1964 f redPru'z'm and 3, 1966 F. PRUIM ETAL 3,267,493

ADJUSTABLE BED Filed July 20, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J71. yen Z5715" Fed.Fru 772 and f T'z/z'nEM tat/1Z6? Aug. 23, 1966 F. PRUIM ETAL 3,267,493

I ADJUSTABLE BED File uly 2 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 f 72 Z/eTLZ Z 71s FredPrzzz'm and fraz'rzfiffzlsc'iler Aug. 23, 1966 F. PRUIM ETAL 3,267,493

ADJUSTABLE BED Filed July 20, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m e w u rmcm wmm/ 5rm l mw x If .fl \8 7 j) QTY/4 wfi b H? n W E mi .0 Q L. w L w m l QM Nm I: n T @121 H, E w N A r l n 1 1 a fi m i ma1 B @mm 1 m I |.|.||-|1 HW1 4?? n F 5: I at m l|.||1-" HIE: 1 l l I l I l l IILIIFIEHW MNIIIX|IFIILIIII k( F? Elf MR United States Patent 3,267,493 ADJUSTABLEBED Fred Pruim, Chicago, and Irvin E. Mischief, Blue Island, Ill,assignors to Borg-Warner Corporation, Qhicago, Ill, a corporation ofIllinois Filed .iuly 20, 1964, Ser. No. 383,573 7 Claims. (Cl. -63) Thisinvention relates to an adjustable bed structure and more particularly,to a bed in which the mattress supporting structure thereof is uniquelyadjustably elevated and positioned.

There are many situations in which it is highly desirable and quitebeneficial to have an economical adjustable bed wherein the mattresssupporting structure thereof may be readily adjustably elevated. Theknown types of beds of this general nature commonly are provided withextremely complicated and expensive elevation adjusting linkage or elseare simple, but somewhat unsafe, unreliable, unstable, limited movement,or are not readily motorized or operated manually.

It is therefore highly desirable to provide a bed having a verticaladjustable mattress supporting frame which is relatively simple andeconomical in structure, yet one which is sufficiently safe, reliableand stable for hospital standards. Further, it is highly desirable toprovide such a bed wherein the elevation linkage thereof is adaptable tomanual or motorized operation in which the activating means issubstantially positioned in the movable frame portion which is to bevertically positioned.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a bed having amovable frame which is adjustably supported by adjusting a relativelysimple and economical linkage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bed wherein a movableframe is adjustably supported on a sta tionary frame by adjustinglinkage substantially secured and included within the movable frame.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bed having a verticallyadjustable movable frame, which by virtue of a unique vertical adjustinglinkage, provides a safe, reliable, and stable vertically positionedmovable frame.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bed having a movableframe which is vertically adjustably supported on :a relatively fixedframe by a linkage substantially secured to the mattress frame whereinthe contemplated embodiments thereof are respectively adapted to manualand motorized actuation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bed having a movableframe which is vertically adjusted relative to a stationary frame by alinkage which provides a mechanical linkage that facilitates manual ormotorized actuation thereof.

With this and other objects in view, the present invention contemplatesan adjustable bed having a relatively fixed frame, and a movable framefor supporting an articulated mattress supporting frame wherein a uniquelinkage is provided between the movable frame and the stationary frame,which provides a linkage for vertically adjusting the movable frame withrespect to said fixed frame in a safe, reliable, stable and relativelsimple manner when said linkage is actuated.

Other objects, advantages, and novel aspects of the invention willbecome apparent upon consideration of the following detailed descriptionof a representative embodiment in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings herein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the first embodiment of the invention with themovable frame in the down position.

FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway top view of the first embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1showing the vertical lateral position of the structures of the elevationlinkage of the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the first embodiment of theinvention taken along line 44 of FIG. 3 showing the longitudinalposition and configuration of the adjusting linkages thereof.

FIG. 5 is a partial top view of the second embodiment of the inventionshowing the horizontal lateral position and structure of the elevationlinkage thereof.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the second embodiment of the inventiontaken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing the longitudinal position andconfiguration motorized elevation linkage thereof.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 5showing further particular longitudinal position and configuration ofthe elevating linkage of the second embodiment of the invention.

PEG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along line 3-8 of FIG. 7showing the particular vertical lateral configuration and positioning ofthe elevation linkage of the second embodiment of the invention.

An illustrative example of the first embodiment of the adjustable bed ofthis invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4, and is designated generally by thenumeral 20. The bed 20 includes generally a relatively stationary baseframe 21, a movable frame 22, a jointed or articulated mattress supportframe 23, and an adjustable linkage assembly generally designated by thenumeral 24, which adjustably interconnects and supports the movableframe 22 with respect to the stationary frame 21.

The adjustable linkage assembly 24 includes generally, among otherthings, a pair of head or first elevation links 3ft and a pair of footor second elevation links 31. The head and foot elevation links 3% and31 are each rigidly secured to tube shafts 33 and 35. The shafts 33 and35 are pivotally mounted on the movable frame 22 and the stationaryframe 21 respectively. The links 30 and 31 are provided with upperextensions 36 that are rigidly secured to the shaft 33.

The upper ends of the head and foot link extensions 30 and 31 arepivotally interconnected by the third link 32 by pins 37. The head andfoot links 30 and 31 are shown, for purposes of illustration, to be ofsuch configuration and to be so positioned on the movable and stationaryframes 22 and 21, that when the links 30 and 31 are pivoted, the movableframe 22 will be moved substantially vertically and parallelly withrespect to the stationary frame 21.

The elevation linkage assembly 24 further includes, among other things,an actuating mechanism generally designated by the numeral 40 (FIGS.2-4), and includes, generally, limit support or guide brackets 41secured to the interconnecting links 32 on pins 42 and 37. A pulley 43is rotatably mounted on the pin 42 between the brackets 41, and thebrackets are provided with aligned slots 44.

A yoke 4-5 is pivotally connected to a bracket 46 of the movable frame22 by a screw or pin 47 (FIG. 4) in the bracket 46 and has a cable 43secured to the left end thereof (FIGS. 2 and 4). The cable 48 extendsleftward around the pulley 43 and then to the right, and is secured to apin 49 adapted to move in the aligned slots 44 of the brackets 41. Amanual crank is provided which is axially secured to a threaded shaft 56that is held against longitudinal movement in a tubular member 57 in amanner well known in the art.

A shaft 58 is slidalbly and telescopically positioned Within the tubularmember 57 and is provided with a screw engaging means of any well-knownvariety (not shown), which is adapted to engage and follow the threadsof the threaded shaft 56. The telescoping shaft 58 is pivotallyconnected to the pin 49 and thus to the cable 48.

In operation, the movable frame 22 of the first embodiment of thisinvention is elevated by rotating the crank 55 to telescopically drivethe shaft 58. When the crank 55 is rotated to draw the shaft 58 to theright (FIGS. 2 and 4), the pin 49 will be moved from left to right inthe slots 44 to move the movable frame 22 from the down position as itis shown. For every unit of lineal distance thereby transversed by thepin, the upper portion of the cable 48 between the yoke 45 and thepulley 43 will be shortened by one-half that distance to provide a 2:1mechanical advantage between the force exerted on the crank actuated pin49 connected to the cable 48, and the pin 42 supporting the pulley.

Thus, by rotating the crank 55 to drive the shaft 58 and the pin 49 tothe right within the slots 44-, the pulley pin 42 and theinterconnecting links 32 will be moved to the right relative to themovable frame. The head and foot linkages and 31 will thereby be rotatedclockwise (FIGS. 1 and 4) about the axis of the shafts 33 and 35 tovertically and parallelly raise the movable frame 22 with respect to thestationary frame 21 under the 2:1 mechanical advantage from the actionof the shaft 5 8, the pulley 42, and the cable 48.

Similarly, when the crank is rotated in the opposite direction, theshaft 58 will be urged to the left (FIGS. 2 and 4), to allow the pin 49to move likewise in the aligned slots 44 of the brackets 41 under theforce provided by the weight of the movable frame 22 acting downwardlyon the shafts 33. It should be noted that the pin 49 is confined by thebracket slots 44 and thereby the actuation linkage 40 is held againstrotation that would otherwise tend to result from the reaction of thescrew 56.

The mattress supporting frame 23 is provided with a stationary mid-panelportion rigidly secured to the movable frame 22 by brackets 66, andupper and lower leg panel portions 67 and 68. The panels 67 and 68 areinterconnected at 69, and the upper leg panel 67 is pivotally connectedto the midpanel portion 65 at 70. A head frame portion 71 of the frame23 is pivotally connected to the mid-panel portion 65 at 72. The headpanel 71 and upper leg panel 67 are pivotally actuated about the pivotpoints 72 and (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) by head and foot articulating linkages73 and 74 respectively.

The articulating linkages 73 each include a shaft 75, an upper extendedportion 76 with a roller 77 (FIGS. 2 and 4) in respective engagementwith the head 71 and upper leg panel portions 67, and a lower extendedportion 78 (FIGS. 1 and 4) secured to the shaft and pivotally connectedto a screw-driven shaft 79 (-FIG. 4). The left or head linkage shaft ispivotally mounted in the frame 22 and the right or foot linkage ispivotally mounted in brackets 66.

The shaft 79 is moved axially by rotation of the crank 80 (FIG. 2) ofthe crank operated screw drive (not shown in detail) as generallydescribed above and as is wellknown in the art of providing linearmotion from rotational motion. Therefore, the shaft 75 may be moved tothe left or the right by rotating the crank 80. The articulating linkswill be pivoted clockwise or counterclockwise respectively tocorrespondingly lower or raise the head 71 and the upper leg panelportions 67.

The lower leg panel portion 68 is additionally pivotally supported by apair of ratchet arms 811 (FIGS. 1 and 4) pivotally connected thereto at82 and provided with a roller 83 in rolling engagement with the movableframe 22. A manually adjustable pawl 84 is pivotally connected to frame68 at 85 and is provided with an engaging portion 86 (FIGS. 2 and 4) forengaging the ratchets 87 of the arm 81 to angularly adjust the lowerfoot frame 68.

A support 90 is pivotally connected to a bracket 91 at 92 and is adaptedto be placed in an upward position to engage the head 71 and upper legpanel portions 67 of the articulated frame 23 to retain those portionsof the frame 23 horizontal (FIG. 1). The link 90 may also be pivotedabout 92 out of the vertical position shown and thereby out ofengagement with the head and upper leg pane-l portions 711 and 67 of thearticulated frame 23 to selectively allow these frames to be pivoteddownwardly about their pivotal connections 72 and 70 with respect to thefixed mid-panel portion 65. Thereby, with appropriate selectiveadjustment of the articulating linkages 74, the pivoted supports 90 andthe lower leg ratchet supports 81 and 84, the articulated frame 23 maybe positioned horizontally (FIG. 1); in a bent-knee position (FIG. 4);or in a general slanted position with the head panel 71 down and boththe foot panels 67 and 68 up, or with the head panel 71 up and both footpanels 67 and 68 down to provide reverse Trendelenburg or Trendelenburgpositions respectively. Also, both the head panel 7:]. and upper andlower leg panels 67 and 68 can be lowered to provide a low head and footposition.

An illustrative example of the second embodiment of the adjustable bedof this invention is shown in FIGS. S8, and is designated generally bythe numeral 95. The bed 95 includes generally the same basic structuresincluded in the first embodiment 20 of the adjustable bed, namely, arelatively stationary base frame 21, a movable frame 22, a jointed orarticulated mattress support frame 23, and an adjustable linkageassembly generally designated by the numeral 24, which adjustablyinterconnects and supports the movable frame 22 with respect to thestationary frame 21.

The adjustable linkage assembly 24 in the second embodiment 95 of theadjustable bed of this invention includes generally, among other things,a pair of head or first elevation links 30 and a pair of foot or secondelevation links 31. The head and foot elevation links 30 and 31 areinterconnected by a third link portion 32 and are each rigidly securedto tube shafts 33 and 35. The shafts 33 and 35 are pivotally mounted onthe movable frame 22 and stationary frame 21 respectively. The links 30and 31 are provided with upper extensions 36 that are rigidly secured tothe shaft 33.

The upper ends of the head and foot link extensions 30 and 31 of thesecond embodiment 95 of the adjustable bed of this invention arepivotally interconnected by the third link 32 that is pivotallyconnected thereto by pins 37. The head and foot links 30 and 31 areshown, for purposes of illustration, to be of such configuration and tobe so positioned on the movable and stationary frames 22 and 21, thatwhen the links 30 and 31 are pivoted, the movable frame 22 is movedsubstantially vertically and parallelly with respect to the stationaryframe 21.

The elevation linkage assembly 24 of the sec-0nd embodiment 95 of theadjustable bed of this invention (FIGS. 5-8) includes, among otherthings, an actuating mechanism generally designated by the numeral 96and is provided with pairs of plates 97 respectively secured to theinterconnecting links 32 by the pins 37 and 98 extending therethrough.

An elevation drive motor 99 is rigidly secured to the movable frame 22and is drivingly coupled with a screw 100 mounted in bearings 101 and102 which in turn are secured to the frame 22. The bearing 102 also actsto hold the screw against axial movement. A pair of substantiallyparallel guide channels 103 are rigidly secured to the movable frame andare provided with a slot 104 adapted to receive a guide pin link yoke105. The guide pin link yoke 105 is rigidly secured to a nut 106 whichin turn is in threaded engagement with the screw 100. A pair ofinterconnecting links 107 are provided for interconnecting the plates 97and the pin and nut 105 and 106. One end of each of the links 107 ispivotally connected to the plates 97 by a pin 108. The other end of eachof the links 107 is pivotally connected to the nut 106 by the pin 105.

The actuation mechanism 96 is further provided. wi h a switchingarrangement to limit the movement of the mechanism. In particular, apair of normally closed switches 110 and 111 are secured to the movableframe 22 adjacent the path of the pin 105, and a source of power isprovided which is connected to the motor 99, the switches 110 and 111,and a switch 112 having neutral elevation and lowering positions. Aswitch bracket 113 is rigidly secured to the pin 105 and is providedwith switch actuating arms 114 and 115.

In the operation of the second embodiment 95 of the adjustable bed ofthis invention, the movable frame 22 is elevated by closing theelevation contact portion of the switch 112 to actuate the motor 99 inthe elevation rotational direction through the normally closed limitswitch 111. When the motor 99 is thus actuated, the screw 100 is rotatedby the motor 99 so that the nut and the guide pin link 106 and 105 areurged axially along the slots 104 to the right. Consequently, the link107 connected to the plates 97 will pivot the first and second elevationlinkages 30 and 31 clockwise about the axis of the shafts 33 and 35, andelevate the movable frame 22 with respect to the stationary frame 21. Asthe movable frame is thus elevated, the pin 105 will move to the right(FIGS. 57) in the slot 104 and the switch bracket 113 will likewise bemoved to the right. At the upper limit of elevational movement, theswitch actuating arm 114 of the bracket 113 will engage and open thelimit switch 110 to deactuate elevational rotation of the motor 99 andthereby automatically limit the elevational movement of the movableframe 22.

In the operation of the second embodiment 95 of the adjustable bed ofthis invention, the movable frame 22 is lowered by closing the loweringcontact portion of the switch 112 to actuate the motor 99 in thelowering rotational direction through the normally closed limit switch110. When the mot-or 99 is thus actuated, the screw 100 is rotated bythe motor 99 so that the nut and the guide pin link 106 and 105 areurged axially along the slots 104 to the left. The movement of the pinand nut 105 and 106 to the left will urge the interconnecting link 107and the plates 97 to the left and, consequently, cause the first andsecond elevation links 30 and 31 to be pivoted counterclockwise aboutthe axis of the shafts 33 and 35 to lower the movable frame 22 relativeto the stationary frame 21. At the selected lower limit of theelevational movement of the movable frame 22, the switch actuating arm115 will engage and open the switch 111 to disconnect the loweringrotational actuation of the motor 99 so as to prevent further loweringof the movable frame 22.

Thus, it can be seen that the movable frame 22 of the second embodimentof this invention can be raised or lowered by rotating and reversing themotor 99 by appropriately positioning the switch 112, and that themovable frame 22 can be raised or lowered from any elevated position,except at the limits of the elevational movement whereupon the movementis controlled by the switches 110 and 111. Also, it should be noted thatthe elevation action can be manually controlled by selectively andappropriately positioning the switch 112.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thespecific constructions and arrangements shown and described, except onlyinsofar as the claims may be so limited, as it will be understood tothose skilled in the art that changes may be made Without departing fromthe principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movableframe, first and second link means pivotally interconnecting said fixedframe and said movable frame to move said movable frame substantiallyparallelly with respect to said fixed frame when said first and secondlink means are pivoted relative to said movable frame, a third rigidlink means pivotally interconnecting said first and second link means,and means for 6 pivoting said first and second link means whereby saidmovable frame will be moved with respect to said fixed frames.

2. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movableframe, first and second link means pivotally interconnecting said fixedframe and said movable frame to move said movable frame substantiallyparallelly with respect to said fixed frame when said first and secondlink means are pivoted relative to said movable frame, a third linkmeans pivotally interconnecting said first and second link means, apulley rotatably secured to said third link means, a guide means securedto said third link means having a substantially horizontal slot thereinfor receiving and limiting the movement of a guide pin, a guide pinpositioned in said slot and adapted to move therein, a flexible memberextending around a portion of said pulley and having the ends thereofrespectively horizontally and parallelly secured to said movable frameand said pin, and means for urging said pin to thereby pivot said firstand second link means relative to said movable frame.

3'. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movableframe, first and second link means pivotally interconnecting said fixedframe and said movable frame to move said movable frame substantiallyparallelly with respect to said fixed frame when said first and secondlink means are pivoted relative to said movable frame, said first andsecond link means respectively extending vertically upwardly beyond saidmovable frame, a third link means pivotally interconnecting said upperextended portions of said first and second link means, a pulleyrotatably secured to said third link means, a guide means secured tosaid third link means having a substantially horizontal slot therein forreceiving and limiting the movement of a guide pin, a guide pinpositioned in said slot and adapted to move therein, a flexible memberextending around a portion of said pulley and having the ends thereofrespectively horizontally and parallelly secured to said movable frameand said pin, and means for urging said pin to thereby pivot said firstand second link means relative to said movable frame.

4. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movableframe, a first and second link means pivotally interconnecting saidfixed frame and said movable frame to move said movable framesubstantially parallelly with respect to said fixed frame when saidfirst and second link means are pivoted relative to said movable frame,said first and second link means respectively extending verticallyupwardly beyond said movable frame, a third link means pivotallyinterconnecting said upper extended portions of said first and secondlink means, and means for pivoting said upper extended link portionsrelative to said movable frame whereby said first and second link meansare pivoted to move said movable frame with respect to said fixed frame.

5. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movableframe, first and second link means pivotally interconnecting said fixedframe and said movable frame to move said movable frame substantiallyparallelly with respect to said fixed frame when said first and secondlink means are pivoted relative to said movable frame, said first andsecond link means respectively extending vertically upwardly beyond saidmovable frame, a third link means pivotally interconnecting said upperextended portions of said first and second link means, and meansinterconnecting said fixed frame and said upper extended link portionsfor pivoting said extended link portions relative to said movable framewhereby said first and second link means are pivoted to move saidmovable frame with respect to said fixed frame.

6. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movableframe, first and second link means pivotally interconnecting said fixedframe and said movable frame to move said movable frame substantiallyparallelly with respect to said fixed frame when said first and secondlink means are pivoted relative to said movable frame, said first andsecond link means respectively extending vertically upwardly beyond saidmovable frame, a third link means pivotally interconnecting said upperextended portions of said first and second link means, and a lineardrive means secured to said movable frame and pivotally connected tosaid third link mean-s for driving said third link means whereby saidfirst and second link means are pivoted to move said movable frame withrespect to said fixed frame.

7. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movableframe, first and second link means pivotally interconnecting said fixedframe and said movable frame to move said movable frame substantiallyparallelly with respect to said fixed frame when said first and secondlink means are pivoted relative to said movable frame, said first andsecond link means respectively extending vertically upwardly beyond saidmovable frame, a third link means pivotally interconnecting said upperextended portions of said first and second link means, a horizontalguide bracket secured to said movable frame and having a substantiallyhorizontal guide slot formed therein adapted to slidably receive a guidelink, a guide link positioned in said slot and adapted to move therein,a drive link pivotally connected to said guide link and said third linkmeans to interconnect said movable frame with said guide link, and alinear drive means secured to said movable frame and pivotally connectedto said guide link to drive said guide link in said slot whereby saidfirst, second and third link means are pivoted to raise said movableframe relative to said fixed frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,827,641 3/ 1958Reichert et al 563 3,036,314 5/1962 WetZlBr 563 3,081,463 3/ 1963Williams et al. 5-63 3,184,765 5/1965 Katz 567 FRANK B. SHERRY, PrimaryExaminer.

C. A. NUNBERG, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ADJUSTABLE BED COMPRISING A RELATIVELY FIXED FRAME, A MOVABLEFRAME, FIRST AND SECOND LINK MEANS PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID FIXEDFRAME AND SAID MOVABLE FRAME TO MOVE SAID MOVABLE FRAME SUBSTANTIALLYPARALLELLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIXED FRAME WHEN SAID FIRST AND SECONDLINK MEANS ARE PIVOTED RELATIVE TO SAID MOVAABLE FRAME, A THIRD LINKMEANS PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND LINK MEANS, ANDMEANS FOR PIVOTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND LINK MEANS WHEREBY SAID MOVABLEFRAME WILL BE MOVED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIXED FRAMES.